Raspberry Pi gives you the power to control LEGO robots

Raspberry Pi has announced an add-on that allows you to use several inexpensive microcomputers to control some of the LEGO robot’s sensors and motors.

The add-on is called HATIt is a rectangular panel with four mounting holes in the corners.

Installing them via the device’s GPIO pins gives you four ports that you can use to control Ingredients SPIKE for Lego Education.

It also connects to most other parts that use an LPF2 connector, including components from the Lego Mindstorms robot inventor kit.

There is also a Python library (a set of commands you can use to control the robot) available to go along with HAT, which allows you to write a program to control the parts of the robot you’ve connected.

Programming SPIKE components with Python is not a unique selling feature of Raspberry Pi. The SPIKE suite comes with a hub that supports the connection of six devices that can also store and run Python programs.

However, you get more flexibility with the Raspberry Pi. You must program the LEGO Center using a separate computer or iPad. While the Build HAT is connected to its computer, you can connect it to a keyboard, mouse, and monitor, depending on which Raspberry Pi you’re using.

The SPIKE hub also contains LPF2 ports. This is despite the fact that it has six ports compared to the four Build HAT ports. While the Raspberry Pi has GPIO pins that you can use to connect other devices, electronics, and sensors.

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Raspberry Pi lets you control motors

This gives you a lot of flexibility in what you can add to your bots. Build HAT also allows you to control your actuators and sensors at a lower level.

The company says connecting the Build HAT to an 8-volt power source with a cylindrical plug allows it to provide power to both the LEGO accessories attached to it and the Raspberry Pi itself. The company sells a specific 48-watt power supply if you don’t have a capable one.

And if kids want to interact with SPIKE robots while delving into programming and tweaking electronics. Build HAT may be a convenient way to help with this using the actuators and sensors you have.

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